June sucker facts for kids
Quick facts for kids June sucker |
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The June sucker (Chasmistes liorus) is a special type of fish. It lives only in Utah Lake and the Provo River in the U.S. state of Utah. This fish is gray or brownish with a lighter belly. It can grow up to about 61 centimeters (24 inches) long.
The June sucker lives alongside the Utah sucker. Both fish populations have become much smaller. Other fish, like the common carp, were brought into the lake. Because of this, the June sucker is now "critically endangered". This means it is very close to disappearing forever. This is happening because the pure June sucker is mixing with the Utah sucker. Also, other fish eat the June sucker's babies. People are working hard to save the June sucker. They are raising them in special fish farms to put them back into the lake.
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What is a June Sucker?
The June sucker belongs to the "sucker" fish family, called Catostomidae. Unlike most other suckers, the June sucker does not eat from the bottom of the lake. Its mouth points forward, which helps it gather tiny water creatures called zooplankton from the middle of the water.
The fish is dark gray or brownish on its back. Its belly is white or slightly greenish. June suckers can live for more than 40 years. Most of these fish are about 43 to 61 cm (17 to 24 in) long. They can weigh up to 2.3 kg (5 lb).
Where Does the June Sucker Live?
The June sucker is found only in Utah Lake in the United States. It also lives in the small streams that flow into the lake. The nearby Provo River is another place where this fish lives.
Why is the June Sucker Endangered?
This fish was once very common in Utah Lake. But its numbers have dropped a lot. Here are some reasons why:
- New Fish Other fish, like the common carp and walleye, were brought into the lake. These new fish eat the young June suckers.
- Pollution and Water Quality The water has become dirty or cloudy. This makes it hard for the June sucker to live.
- Drought and Water Flow Less rain and changes in how water flows have also hurt the fish.
- Lost Plants Some native plants that the fish needed have disappeared.
- Mixing Fish The June sucker also mixes with the Utah sucker. This means there are fewer pure June suckers left.
Helping the June Sucker
Biologists are working to save the June sucker. They have been raising these fish in Red Butte Reservoir. More recently, they are raising them at a Springville, Utah, fish hatchery. A fish hatchery is like a special farm for fish.
This hatchery was closed before because of a fish sickness called whirling disease. But whirling disease does not affect June suckers. So, the hatchery was reopened to help them. Once the June suckers grow to a certain size, they are released into Utah Lake. This helps to increase their numbers in the wild.
The June Sucker Recovery Implementation Program helps plan and carry out actions to save the June sucker.
See also
In Spanish: Chasmistes liorus para niños
